Education leadership practices

Several years ago I was awestruck by the bold vision of Wellington’s Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. Their strategic plan has a 500-year time frame. This is, of course, entirely appropriate when you’re seeking to restore a landlocked “island” to its natural state. Setting an inspirational vision—and in time achieving it—requires a deep knowledge of the business, a clarity of purpose and well-articulated values that guide the collective endeavour.

Few studies have ever shown the improved results of an intervention project continuing after that programme has finished. Is it possible to achieve sustainability and what factors would contribute to it? This article looks at one programme that sustained gains and how it was done.

Constructive developmental theory examines and describes the way people grow and change over the course of their lives.

The author looks at New Zealand schools and discusses:

• the special demands on teachers because of our self managing schools system
• impacts of curriuculum innovations
• impacts of the ageing workforce, and
• implications for change.